This Multi-Platinum Country Crooner Has A New Furry Family Member To Help Show Support For Veterans

Matthew Russell

By Matthew Russell

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Adopting a shelter pet is one of the most compassionate and important things you could ever do for an animal. And if you’re a country singer, it helps with the image, too.

Multi-platinum country artist Hunter Hayes adopted a new furry friend into his family in April. He welcomed whippet-beagle mix Ella home, where his retired racing greyhound, Cole, waited patiently to meet his new sister.

Hayes adopted Ella from Tennessee’s Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter funded primarily through donations. The Bible verse that inspires the title adds some insight to the shelter’s mission, as well.

“A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.”

According to Dog Tipper, Dan Smyers, of country outfit Dan + Shay, has not only adopted two dogs from the same shelter, he’s volunteered to help out there, too. They don’t call it the Volunteer State for nothing, it seems.

Hayes understands the social responsibility that comes with carrying a large audience and is using his social media clout to draw attention to the Warrior Canine Connection, an organization that relies on “a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.”

The WCC helps military veterans work through issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury with the help of service dogs trained by other veterans. It facilitates a self-renewing loop of support and puts pups in the care of our country’s most courageous.

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, going to the dog park, spending time with his daughter, and coffee. Find more about Matthew on his personal website.